A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

You already know how to add a theme to your garden and how throw a great pirate or 70’s theme party on your deck. Think of this particular gathering as a family themed party.  Pull out the old black and white photos of your mom’s graduation and Cousin Sal trick or treating in her bunny costume.   Dedicate a small table to holding old photo albums that will bring back memories for everyone.

Story Time

Story time is not just for kids.  Transform your Eva-tech outdoor deck into the stage for Granny and Grandpa to share stories from years gone by.  Encourage everyone beforehand to come prepared to tell one of their funniest childhood adventures.  Get things going by asking Uncle Herbert what life was like when he was your age.  Just make sure you have a comfortable seat nearby – this could take a while.

Remember your Heritage

Pay homage to your ancestors with small tributes to your family’s ethnicity.  Surprise your Italian family with homemade Bolognese or throw in a piñata to celebrate your Mexican roots.  Put some traditional music on the speakers and encourage the older members of the family to teach you a dance step or two.  And, of course, heap on the wors rolls and chops in a proudly South African way.